The verse in Proverbs 23:7 that states “as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” is a profound truth about the power of our thoughts and how they shape who we are. This principle teaches us that our thoughts directly influence our character, attitudes, behaviors, and essentially our entire life. Let’s explore the meaning behind this verse more deeply.
The Origin and Context of the Verse
Proverbs 23:7 falls within the larger section of Proverbs chapters 10-24 which contains various wise sayings and observations about life. More specifically, chapter 23 addresses themes of acting wisely when interacting with others, avoiding folly, and exercising self-control. Verse 7 comes as a warning about how our thoughts shape who we become.
The phrase “as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” was originally written in Biblical Hebrew. The key Hebrew words are “ka’asher” meaning “according as” and “leb” meaning “heart.” Hebrew culture viewed the heart as the center of thought and will. So essentially the phrase means “as a man thinks in his inner self, so he becomes.”
Our Thoughts Influence Our Character and Actions
At the most basic level, this verse teaches that our thoughts mold our character. If we think negatively, we will become a negative person. If we think impure thoughts, we will embody impurity. If we think critically of others, we will become a critical person. And the opposite is true as well – positive thoughts produce positive character.
Beyond influencing character, our thoughts also shape our attitudes, values, goals, words, and actions. As Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). What fills our minds will inevitably come out through our speech and behavior.
Additionally, our thoughts affect how we view life and respond to circumstances. A mind filled with fear and anxiety perceives threats and dangers everywhere. But a mind filled with trust sees God’s grace in every situation. Our outlook essentially creates our reality.
The Mind is a Battlefield We Must Learn to Control
If our thoughts wield such power over our lives, then it follows that we must learn to control our thinking. This requires guarding our minds against harmful thoughts through prayer, God’s word, and wise counsel from others. It also involves actively filling our minds with that which is noble, right, pure, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).
The mind is a battlefield where we fight to dwell on truth rather than deception. Romans 12:2 commands us to “be transformed by the renewal of your mind” while 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” These verses teach us to actively resist thoughts contrary to God’s will and saturate our minds with His truth.
In many ways, the quality of our lives comes down to the quality of our thoughts. We must learn to rule over our minds rather than allowing our minds to rule us. Disciplining the mind is challenging but essential work if we desire to become mature disciples of Jesus.
Filling the Heart with God’s Word
One key strategy for winning the battle of the mind is filling our hearts with God’s word. The book of Proverbs has much to say about the life-changing power of Scripture:
“My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:1-5).
As this passage indicates, God’s word renews our minds as we devote ourselves to studying and delighting in His truth. His thoughts become our thoughts as we meditate on Scripture. By filling our minds with God’s promises, wisdom, commands, and truth, we are transformed into His image.
We Must Cultivate Godly Thought Patterns
Since thoughts flow freely through our minds, we must be intentional about developing godly thinking habits. It takes time and discipline to retrain our brains, but Scripture gives practical advice for cultivating righteous thought patterns:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2).
By consciously choosing to fix our thoughts on the right things, we can successfully reprogram our mental processes. We must also make no provision for feeding sinful thoughts but rather starve them of attention (Romans 13:14). Our minds will gradually be renewed as we practice thinking God’s thoughts after Him.
Our Thoughts Will Be Judged by God
It is sobering to realize that even our thoughts and intentions will face divine scrutiny. Hebrews 4:12 declares that “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” God knows our inner thought lives better than we know ourselves.
Jesus emphasized the seriousness of sinful thinking when He said, “Everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). Mental adultery is a grievous sin like physical acts of adultery. Unrighteous thoughts have real spiritual consequences.
These truths should motivate us to carefully guard our minds and ask God to expose sinful thought patterns. The goal is not just moral behavior but inner purity and holiness. As 1 Peter 1:13-15 exhorts, “Prepare your minds for action, keep sober…As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'” Pure thoughts produce pure lives.
We Are Transformed Through the Renewing of Our Minds
The good news is that Scripture not only warns us about the dangers of impure thoughts but also promises hope for transformation. By cooperating with God’s Spirit through spiritual disciplines like Scripture meditation, prayer, fasting, and worship, we can experience revolutionary mind renewal.
Romans 12:2 provides this wonderful promise: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Cooperating with the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives renews our minds and awakens us to God’s perfect will.
As Ephesians 4:23 also explains, we are made new in the attitude of our minds. Our thoughts will increasingly reflect the mind of Christ as we yield to His work within us. Our efforts to renew our thinking are not in vain but rather facilitate spiritual growth.
We Must Take Responsibility for Our Thought Lives
While spiritual transformation is God’s work, we also carry responsibility to manage our thought lives. Paul reminds us to take up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, in order to overcome enemy attacks on our thoughts (Ephesians 6:17). We have a role to play in combating lies with truth.
Paul also made deliberate efforts to restrain his mind. He wrote, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27). Just as an athlete trains his body, we must rigorously train our minds to obey Christ.
As James 1:14-15 warns, “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin.” We must not passively indulge sinful thoughts but rather actively resist them in Jesus’ strength. Our mental discipline impacts our character.
Practical Tips for Managing Our Thought Lives
In summary, here are some practical tips for managing our thought lives based on Scriptural wisdom:
- Carefully guard your mind against harmful thoughts. Refuse to dwell on them.
- Fill your mind abundantly with God’s word on a daily basis.
- Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to renew your mind and purify your thoughts.
- Practice thinking about edifying things like what is true, honorable, right, and praiseworthy.
- Fix your thoughts on heavenly things rather than earthly things.
- Take every negative thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.
- If you start to have a sinful thought, immediately switch your mind’s focus elsewhere.
- Consistently replace lies with God’s truth.
- Meditate on positive, uplifting praise songs.
- Ask a spiritually mature friend to help you identify harmful thought patterns.
Conclusion
The wisdom of Proverbs 23:7 powerfully highlights the connection between our thinking and who we become. May we carefully guard our minds against the tendency to drift into destructive thoughts. Through Spirit-empowered mindfulness, may our thoughts increasingly reflect the mind of Christ. As we dwell on that which is true, noble, right, pure, and praiseworthy, we will be transformed into Christ’s image with ever-increasing glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).